Tractor for wagons and the like.



W. E. ELDRIDGE.

TRACTOR FOR WAGONS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, i9l4.'

1,155,713. r Patented 0ct.5,1915.

Jay. 2

WILLIAM E. ELDRIDGE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

TRACTOR FOR WAGONS AND THE LIKE.

- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. '5, 1915.

Application filed June 17, 1914. Serial No. 845,676.

' tachable tractor for wagons or other form of carriers, the wagonsbeing utilized as semi-trailers, and while I prefer to use as thedriving power what is known as the couple gear driving wheels, I do notlimit myself in this connection, as other forms of motive power maybe-usedL v In the accompanying drawing, I have shown in Figure 1 in sideelevation a lumber-wagon having my front drive tractor attached theretoFig. 2 is a detail view of the means ofconnection between the wagon andthe tractor;

In these drawings the lumber wagon is shown at H, and isrepresentativeof any form of carrier for freight and the like.

This may be of ordinary construction, ex-

cept in the particulars indicated relating to the connection with thetractor. The tractor is shown at G, and consists of a suitable frameworkfurnishing a support for the driver at a, a compartment for the storagebattery at b if batteries are used, a steering device being shown at c.I prefer to utilize two driving wheels of the. type known as. couplegear which furnish the driving force, and which also serve tosteer thedevice, the control of the wheels both for steering and driving beingthrough the wheel 0, the controller a: and the foot brake lever (Z. The,couple gear driving wheels are indicated at E, and are arranged forwardof the center of gravity of the tractor.

In advance of the wheels is a skid F which may terminate in a dash-boardf, and extending rearwardly of the tractor frame are small wheels Dsultably supported and held above the ground when the tractor is inworking connection with the wagon. When not in connection or when beingdisconnected, the wheels D will rest upon the ground and support thetractor with its driving wheels and allow independent movement thereof.The skid isto prevent anyten'dency of tipping forward to too greatanextent, and if deslred may be provided with wheels similar to the wheelsat the rear endfrom a delivery trip may be readily detached from onewagon and attached to a freshlv loaded one, I provide the followingdescribed coupling means. Each we on is provided with a pair ofguideways B, formed by a metal frame secured to the body, and the wallsof these guideways flare outwardly and downwardly at their forward ends.Projectin from the rear of the tractor forming a contmuation of theframe members thereof are the longitudinal beams A which are adapted toenter the guides B and accurately fit therein. The flaring mouths of theguides are for the purpose of enabling the tractor to automaticallcouple itself up to the wagon body, as althat it is necessary to do isto back the tractor up. until the inclined ends of the bars A of thetractor enter the flarin forward portions of the guides. Further ackwardmovement of the tractor causes the bars A to ride upwardly until theyenter. the narrow portions of the guides, thus tipping the tractor in ahorizontal position and coupling the parts in the positlon shown inFig. 1. After the bars are in place'in the sockets they may be heldtherein bv any suitable means such, for instance, as a pin a passingthrough alining holes on each side.

claim as my invention: -1. A motor vehicle comprising in combination amain body part, rear supporting wheels therefor, said body part'beingpro:

meanslfor securely fastening said" coupling members in saidguidewayswhereby a detachably connected motor vehicle is" provided, substantiallyas described.

' 2. Amotor vehicle comprising in combination a main body part, rearsupporting Wheels therefor, a driving tractor 'detachto'support saidti'aotor and prevent tilting able therefrom, said tractor beingsupported when detached from said bod portion. 10 upon combined drivingand steering wheels, In testimonv whereof, I a x mysignaa pair ofrearwardly extending coupling hire in presence'of two witnesses.

membersv on said tractor adapted to engage WILLIAM E. ELDRIDGE.

the saidbody part, said tractor being fur- Witnesses:

ther provided With a depending front por- MILDRE L GRATTAN,

tion and a depending rear portion adapted WALTER O. ADAMS.

